We don't know when or where a pandemic or other emergency may strike, but we do know one thing. If and when it does, community members and neighbors will be a critical part of our response.

The first responder for any emergency situation is usually not fire, police or emergency medical personnel. The first responder is usually an average citizen or neighbor just like you.

I'm pleased to be the third in a series of articles on a topic not many want to talk about, but one we must face together. These articles are not being presented to scare anyone. Prevention has always been the best medicine and there's no substitute for preparation, especially when you're talking about emergency situations.

So far, we've learned from Dr. Lynn Bowers about how powerful the simple act of frequent handwashing can be. We've also read about the importance of honest communication about a disease outbreak - something not always present in the deadly pandemic of 1918 - thanks to Dr. Daniel House.

Today, I'd like to talk with you about the need for volunteers in case of a flu pandemic or other emergency, and encourage you to consider calling or e-mailing me to put your name on the list. In fact, I'd love to speak with service organizations, social clubs or church groups about this issue.

We live in such a small world - one even smaller today than it was when the last pandemic hit. Travel from one side of the globe to the other is not unusual. Even in Henry County, we have industries which market their products overseas.

The problem with a flu pandemic is it's going to be everywhere. You only have so many emergency and medical personnel. There are only so many people who work at the health department, doctor offices and the hospital. You've got to take into account during a pandemic some of them might be sick and unable to help anyone.

If something like a pandemic happens, you're just not going to have enough professional people to do everything that needs to be done.

Henry County officials have been working hard behind the scenes to develop comprehensive plans for the next flu pandemic. A full-scale drill was held here last October, with as many as 300 cars simulating a drive-through situation where pandemic-related materials were handed out to the public.

One of the key things learned in that drill was we don't have enough volunteers.

I'm currently working with Ron Huffman, a New Castle fireman and Henry County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) director in building a data base of volunteers that can be used in any emergency situation. We'd like to have 100 or more volunteers we can contact in case of an emergency. We realize that many of them would not be able to assist at any given time. In a pandemic, for instance, Henry County area volunteers would:

There are various kinds of training for our volunteers and it is all interesting and informative. All interested individuals need to be registered with our EMA as official volunteers to receive training. To get more details and to sign up, call Ron Huffman at 765-521-0582 or myself at 765-686-1101. You can also e-mail me.

I'd like to stress we don't expect volunteers to show up if they think their own situation requires them to be at home. In most cases, volunteers will not deal with symptomatic people. Most symptomatic individuals are treated as medicines are available and sent home to recover.

There are, indeed, a lot of unknowns about what a future pandemic would bring. Will the anti-virals we have now be effective? How limited will travel be throughout the county? Will we be able to effectively isolate the community?

What we would know, if you call us, is that someone like you is ready to help. And that could make a big difference in our small corner of the world.

Gary Maitlen is emergency preparedness coordinator for the Henry County Health Department.